Biography

Known today as “the band that became Badfinger” as well as for their single “Maybe Tomorrow”, British pop rock band ‘The Iveys’ started as Pete Ham, David “Dai” Jenkins, Ron Griffiths, and Terry Gleeson. Originally called ‘The Wild Ones’, they changed their name to ‘The Iveys’ in late 1964. They played at various local pubs in South Wales, building steam.

In early ‘65, they replaced Gleeson with drummer Mike Gibbins and started becoming quite popular on the local circuit as they would open for nationally known rock acts (including The Moody Blues, The Yardbirds, The Spencer Davis Group, Pink Floyd and many others) as those groups played Wales. In the spring of ‘66, they met Bill Collins who showed a great interest in the group. Collins eventually became their manager after moving the band to his place in London. The Iveys played various pubs and functions in and around London as well as backing up-and-coming pop vocalist David Garrick, while recording their own material from around ‘66 to ‘67.

The band’s work generated some interest with the likes of Decca Records, Phillips, and even Pye Records. Even Ray Davies of The Kinks was interested at one point after hearing some of their demos. By the end of ‘67, guitarist Jenkins left and was replaced by Tommy Evans (formerly of The Calderstones). By early ‘68, The Iveys’ popularity was growing even more. In March ‘68, The Beatles’ roadie and friend Mal Evans obtained some of their demos and took them to The Beatles’ newly formed Apple Records label in which various parties were interested, Paul McCartney for one. The Iveys were signed in the summer of ‘68. They recorded tracks in which the Tommy Evans tune, “Maybe Tomorrow”, was released as a single in the fall of ‘68. The single peaked at #67 in early ‘69.

After other tracks were recorded, they released their first (and only) album, ‘Maybe Tomorrow’, in the U.K. and in Europe in the summer of ‘69, but for some reason it wasn’t released in the U.S. The band, feeling slighted, was asked by Paul McCartney if they would be interested in recording his demo as well as other tracks for a movie soundtrack that he was comissioned to do. The group jumped at the chance and recorded McCartney’s song “Come And Get It” as well as two other tracks for the film ‘The Magic Christian’.

In the fall of ‘69, The Iveys were encouraged to change their name in which they did. After renaming themselves Badfinger (after Bad Finger Boogie - the working title for The Beatles tune With A Little Help From My Friends) Ron Griffiths left the group due to personal problems. Evans switched to bass guitar and they auditioned Joey Molland for the guitarist slot.